What are the steps I would have to take to become an editor?

Answer 1

As an experienced editor, I can tell you for a fact that it is a difficult profession to break into. I have degrees in English and History, with a strong background in grammar and spelling. Those are key elements if you want to build a reputation as an editor.

Once you become a freelance editor, you'll find plenty of people who want you to "take a look" at their books, but don't want to pay for your time. If you want to work for free or you're looking to build your reputation or client base by editing books just to get your name on a cover, that's okay. I wouldn't make a habit of it, though.

Fortunately, there are sites now that advertise or broker editing work, proofreading assignments and other types of freelance writing gigs. The Craigslist is one of the better ones. Do a web search for that and then email some of the registered freelancers on the site to see if/when they get paid for their work. Some websites WILL rip you off, so be careful.

Also, if you really intend to become an editor, you must above all else be an expert speller and grammarian. There is no wiggle room for errors. There is no excuse for English not being your first language, either. In short, there are NO excuses for typos or misused words like "it's" and "its" or "affect" and "effect". You cannot rely on spell checkers or even Word functions that check your grammar. They will NOT catch those kinds of errors.

Okay, lecture over. Good luck finding work. It's tough, but it sure beats digging ditches.

Jon F. Baxley (Author, Editor, Ghostwriter and Proofreader)
THE SCYTHIAN STONE
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming, fall '07)

(For a FREE copy of The Scythian Stone or a full color, four chapter illustrated demo of The Blackgloom Bounty, email me at [e-mail]).

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Answer 2

First an editor knows whats not needed and what works well
Most editors have formal training iin newspapers or some journalism. There are schools for journalism or you can just do the college route Major in journalism, its hard to be an editor
So good Luck

Answer 3

First you need a tertiary qualification in the area. Register with the literary editor association, or try for a job in an existing agency. Advertise in literary magazines.

Answer 4

are you in scholl now studying journalisimm courses hons?? have you ever worked for a scholl newspaper?/ wrote articles have a portifillo?? can you proved it was your working if you did hons are you objective in nature?/ anyways if you are studing or going too college and you land a job at at a newspaper you will, start up as a reoprterr for a long time(it al depends on it hons most newspapers these day s are sufeering with poor circulationn and other problems okay) okay if you get a job as a reporter at a newspaper then ask them that you are intetested in becoming editorr the top job at a newspaper hons but beware like we said most of them asre struggling fro day to day! good luck now hons!!

Answer 5

You would probably need to have a major in English. I'm sure you could find out more prefered requirements by searching the internet.

Answer 6

Are you wanting to work for a publishing company or a literary agency, or work on your own? Start sending out your resumes. Otherwise, advertise your expertise in writer's magazines.

Answer 7

take grammar classes definitely